Professional career

Texas Rangers

Signing with the Rangers at the age of 18, Benoit was with the Rangers' organization until 2009. Except rehab assignments after stints on the disabled list, he was with the Major League club full-time since midway through the 2003 season. Benoit's seven years with the Texas Rangers made him the second-longest tenured member of the team after Michael Young.

Originally a starter, Benoit was moved to the bullpen part-time in the 2003 season. Since then, he had served in various relief roles, making spot starts as necessary.

Benoit holds the Major League record for having recorded the longest save, seven innings, since it became an official statistic in 1969.[1][lower-alpha 1] He relieved Todd Van Poppel at the start of the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles on September 3, 2002 and nearly completed a combined no-hitter, as Baltimore's only hit in the game came leading off the ninth inning. The official scorer credited the win to Van Poppel and not Benoit, a decision that was also supported by Texas manager Jerry Narron.[4]

In 2006, Benoit ranked in the top-10 American League relievers in strikeouts, innings pitched, and percentage of inherited runners who scored.[5]

On January 27, 2009, Benoit underwent surgery to fix a torn rotator cuff, and missed the 2009 season.[6]

Tampa Bay Rays

Benoit was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training by the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2010 season. He was called up to the Rays and debuted with the team April 29, 2010. He put together an incredible campaign and established himself as one of the game's premier setup men.[7] Benoit finished with a 1.34 ERA and 0.68 WHIP, allowing just 30 hits, 11 walks and nine earned runs in 60 1/3 innings while fanning 75 batters.[8] His strong season resulted in his winning the Tony Conigliaro Award.[9]

Detroit Tigers

Benoit with the Tigers in 2011

On November 19, 2010, Benoit signed a three-year contract with the Detroit Tigers.[10] The deal was worth $16.5 million with performance bonuses up to $1 million annually.[11]
Benoit didn't quite replicate his outstanding 2010 season but had a solid year nonetheless, finishing with a 4–3 record, 2.95 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. He struck out 63 hitters in 61 innings, allowing just 47 hits and 20 earned runs.[12]
Benoit came on in relief in the decisive Game 5 of the American League Divisional Series against New York and recorded five crucial outs. He tight-roped out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam, giving up just one run thanks to key strikeouts of Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher.[13]

Joaquín had a moderately successful 2012 campaign as the Tigers primary setup man, finishing with a 3.68 ERA while striking out 84 batters in 71 innings.[14]

In 2013, Benoit became the closer for the Detroit Tigers. He replaced José Valverde, who accepted an assignment to the Toledo Mud Hens on June 21, 2013 and was subsequently released. Joaquín successfully converted his first 22 save opportunities of the 2013 season, before blowing saves in two of his final four chances, making him 24-of-26 overall. He finished the regular season with a 2.01 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP.[14]

San Diego Padres

In December 2013, Benoit and the San Diego Padres agreed to a two-year contract worth $15.5 million.[15] Benoit served as the set up man for the first half of the 2014 season, but was moved into the closer role after Huston Street was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Benoit returned to the setup man role in the 2015 season, after the Padres acquired Craig Kimbrel from the Atlanta Braves in a blockbuster trade that was completed on the day before opening day of the upcoming season.

Seattle Mariners

On November 12, 2015, the Padres traded Benoit to the Seattle Mariners for two minor league players.[16]

Toronto Blue Jays

On July 26, 2016, the Mariners traded Benoit to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher Drew Storen and cash.[17] Benoit struck out Evan Longoria to record his 1,000th career strikeout in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 4.[18] On September 26, Benoit suffered a torn left calf while rushing out of the bullpen during a bench-clearing brawl against the New York Yankees, and was declared out for the remainder of the regular season.[19] He made 25 appearances for the Blue Jays in 2016, and posted a 0.38 ERA through 232⁄3 innings pitched.[14]